A six-year-old girl from Kent is in intensive care after being attacked by the family dog.

Chloe Ashman was taken to the William Harvey Hospital at Ashford after being mauled by the Staffordshirer bull terrier and was then taken to the St Thomas Hospital in London for surgery.

Her condition is now described as critical by stable.

The youngster was attacked in the back garden of the home in Stuart Road, Folkestone. Her mother tried to pull the dog off Chloe and the animal then attacked her.

Ashley Harrop, the partner of neighbour Emma Baker heard the commotion, jumped over the garden wall and managed to pull the animal away from the pair. A neighbour's partner managed to pull the dog away from the pair.

The dog was put down following the attack last Monday, June 9. Police are investigating.